Paperwork to check when buying a second-hand ride.
This article outlines the paperwork required for controllers to have in their possession. Before you find ‘the one’, you’ll probably spend hours comparing and researching different rides until the breakthrough moment when you find the ride you want to buy.
But before you part with hard-earned cash, be sure to check the following paperwork is in order.
It is a requirement that any owner of a ride/device have these documents in their possession, and they will be required to gain a re-test with an inspection body (IB).
Pre-use inspection reports / Design Review
HSG 175 provides guidance that pre-use inspection reports, also known as Design Review, Assessment of conformity to design and initial test (or a Maturity Risk Assessment for rides operating in GB prior to October 1997) should be in place for all amusement devices. These documents provide details that the ride was declared safe for use before it was open to the public for the first time. These reports should be kept with the ride throughout its lifecycle and checked during inspection each year.
They may also give details of additional maintenance requirements to those supplied by the manufacturer. Without these reports it could be the case that the ride cannot be registered without some or all of this work being carried out again at considerable cost to you. Check that the ride matches the description on the reports and they are for the ride and model you are buying. If there is a manufacturer’s serial number on the reports check that this matches the plaque on the ride.
There have been instances where controllers have only been issued a cover sheet of reports. The full document needs to be in your possession.
Declaration of Operational Compliance (DOC)
Every operating ride must be inspected and have a valid DOC, this is a requirement of law under PUWER 1998. Please check that the ride you are buying matches the description on the DOC. Check that the reports listed on the DOC are in place and check these for any defects or advisory notes left by the inspectors. These may be problems that wouldn’t have prevented a ride getting a DOC but need to be rectified at the earliest possible time.
ADIPS have received calls from controllers who have bought devices with what they believe to be an ADIPS DOC in place only to find that the DOC they have has never been issued. You are strongly encouraged to contact ADIPS and provide photos of the DOCs you believe to be valid to ADIPS so that these can be verified. This may save you money in the future and ADIPS will always help those controllers that do get in touch, particularly prior to buying the ride.
Remember a DOC only guarantees that the ride was safe to operate at the time of the inspection. It is the responsibility of the operator to operate and maintain it properly between inspections. If the DOC is due to expire
you can ask a seller to get the ride re-tested. You can also check a ride’s DOC status online on the ADIPS website DOC Checker page; https://adips.co.uk/check-a-doc/
Operations Manual
HSG 175 states that all rides should have an operations and maintenance manual, this is equivalent to a car’s service and full history and helps you to buy a well maintained ride, see what maintenance has been performed and if details of all checks recommended by the manufacturer or in the design review have been done. Often owners who have recorded all maintenance and kept good records have taken good care of the ride and will provide everything your inspector will want to see. Also check if the ride has been modified and if it has check that the reports of pre-use inspection are in place.
NDT Schedule
Most rides require an NDT inspection. Check that the paperwork is within date. If the ride you are buying does have this listed as an inspection on its DOC then you should also see a schedule of NDT within the Operations manual. This lists in detail the areas that require NDT, the frequency of inspection and the method to be used. An NDT inspector cannot perform NDT without it, and it is a vital part the paperwork you should expect to see.
Remember to be diligent, seek the help of your inspector if required and that it is the responsibility of the person selling the ride to give you the information to allow you to operate the ride. If information is missing or you suspect it is invalid be up front with the seller as this may only cause you trouble down the line. Ultimately if this information isn’t forthcoming you will have to factor the potential time and cost to put it right and if you have your heart set on buying a ride you can operate immediately; your safest bet may be to walk away.
More about NTD can be read here: https://adips.co.uk/five-things-ride-controllers-should-know-about-non-destructive-testing-ndt/
ADIPS ID.
If the ride has an ADIPS ID, then it will be on the ADIPS system which will save having to registering it. If it has an ADIPS ID, then in theory the above documents already exist.
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Please contact the ADIPS office is you have any questions on these issues regarding the paperwork.
